Explore Chapter 14 of 'The Story of the Golden Powder Family' with the original Chinese text, English translation, detailed Chinese vocabulary explanations, and audio of the Chinese original. Listen and improve your reading skills.
Now, Jin Yanxi, since that day when he returned in the same car with Leng Qingqiu and shared refreshments at the same table, felt increasingly that this Miss Leng was elegantly charming. She was quite different from the women he usually saw in social circles. Back in his study, he gazed blankly at the four pieces of Hunan Embroidery, lost in thought about how to get closer. Song Runqing came daily without fail, discussing poetry and literature with great enthusiasm. Yanxi was glad to use him as a go-between. He sealed ten dollars and had someone buy two box tickets for the Grand Stage. He entrusted Song Runqing to deliver them to Mrs. Leng, saying they were gifts from a friend. Since watching a play alone was dull, he invited them to relax. Song Runqing, overjoyed, hurried in to inform Mrs. Leng. Mrs. Leng said, "We've received several gifts from Young Master Jin already. It's embarrassing to keep accepting." Song Runqing replied, "This shows Young Master Jin's graciousness. Since he sincerely sent them, it would be impolite to refuse. We should accept his kindness. Besides, I've heard this play is excellent. Elder Sister and Leng Qingqiu should go out for some diversion." Mrs. Leng, seeing his point, agreed. That evening, Yanxi had an automobile waiting at the door. Mrs. Leng brought Leng Qingqiu and Nanny Han, with Song Runqing accompanying. They all rode in the automobile. Yanxi sat in the adjacent box, keeping a distant company. Leng Qingqiu wore a newly made lotus-colored silk gown that day, with lightly traced eyebrows. She looked even more delicate and lovely. Yanxi, from his side, stole glances from time to time. Leng Qingqiu occasionally noticed and felt her face flush. She kept her head down watching the play. After the play ended, Yanxi insisted on sending them back in the same car. Mrs. Leng could not refuse and had to comply. In the car, Yanxi was even more respectful and courteous in his speech. Mrs. Leng felt in her heart that although Young Master Jin came from a wealthy family, he lacked the frivolous airs of a playboy.
The next day, Yanxi thought of giving Leng Qingqiu a gift, but feared being too obvious. Suddenly, he remembered that her shoes had looked rather plain that day. He called Jin Rong to obtain a twenty-dollar gift certificate from Ankang Shoe Store. He sealed it in a red envelope, signed "From Seventh Master Jin," and deliberately placed it under an inkstone. As expected, when Song Runqing came and saw it, he inquired about the predestined affinity. Yanxi said it was from a shoe store and he had no use for it, so he passed it to Song Runqing. Song Runqing treasured it like a precious find and took it home. Leng Qingqiu had been worried about not having a decent pair of shoes to match her lotus-colored gown. Seeing the gift certificate, it was just what she needed. She secretly rejoiced. She thought it came from her uncle's wide connections, unaware that Yanxi had gone through such pains.
A few days later, the weather was fine and clear. The jujube flowers in the courtyard were in full bloom. Yanxi brought a copy of the Collected Works of Li Yishan to discuss poetry with Song Runqing, but he was not at home. Yanxi was idling in the small parlor when he suddenly heard a burst of laughter. Peering through the curtain, he saw Leng Qingqiu wearing a rain-washed, sky-blue brocade gown of gossamer silk, with pale blue silk stockings and shoes. She stood under the eaves watching the jujube flowers. The sunlight and tree shadows played on her light blue attire, giving her an ethereal, fairy-like grace. Yanxi stared, entranced. He did not even notice when Song Runqing came in and patted his shoulder. Only when Song Runqing spoke loudly about poetry did he manage a few perfunctory replies. His heart had already followed that lovely figure. He did not sit long, excusing himself on some pretext and taking his leave.
Back in his room, he could only think of her. Suddenly, Mei Li called, asking him to come home and have fun. Yanxi thought going home might distract him, so he took an automobile back. At home, he chatted and laughed with Mei Li, Xiu Zhu, and others for a while, but ultimately found it dull. His mind kept drifting to Circle Lane. The next day, he found another excuse and had Jin Rong invite Song Runqing over for dinner. During the meal, they talked about the poetry club. Yanxi said, "Our poetry club wants to liven things up. Would you be interested in joining, Mr. Song?" Song Runqing eagerly replied, "That would be a dream come true. But I'm afraid my limited talent might invite ridicule." Yanxi said, "You're too modest, Mr. Song. In a few days, when our club members gather, I'll definitely extend an invitation."
Two more days passed. Yanxi thought that Leng Qingqiu always wore plain clothing. Though elegant, a young woman should have some brighter attire. He personally went to a silk shop and selected several elegant, high-quality fabrics in refined colors. He had Jin Rong pack them in glass boxes and send them to the Leng Residence. He claimed they were new arrivals from a friend's shop, sent for Mrs. Leng and the young lady to appreciate. Mrs. Leng, seeing so many valuable items, was reluctant to accept. Jin Rong said, "Our Seventh Master says we're all family. These are just small tokens. Please do accept them. If you return them, Seventh Master's face will be hurt." Song Runqing urged from the side to accept them. Mrs. Leng had no choice but to keep two of the plainer ones and had Nanny Han return the rest. Unexpectedly, the servant there had been instructed to refuse to take them back at all costs. Mrs. Leng had to give up. She said to Leng Qingqiu, "Young Master Jin is so generous. How can we reciprocate?" Leng Qingqiu, looking at the lustrous silks, liked them in her heart but said, "Mother, we can't accept such heavy gifts for nothing." Mrs. Leng replied, "Let your uncle think of something suitable to give in return."
Song Runqing, eager to curry favor with Yanxi, sent over several treasured collections. Yanxi merely placed them casually on a bookshelf. Song Runqing, thinking Yanxi deeply appreciated refined tastes, visited even more frequently. Sometimes, even if Yanxi did not go over, he would come himself, chatting about everything under the sun, sitting for half a day at a time. Yanxi found him somewhat pedantic in his heart, but for Leng Qingqiu's sake, he had to entertain him. The door in the wall had long been repaired, making visits between the two households even more convenient.
One day, Song Runqing came over again for casual talk. He mentioned that Leng Qingqiu did very well in school, especially in Chinese literature and poetry, earning praise from her teachers. Yanxi heard this and admired her even more. As they spoke, they suddenly heard women's laughter in the neighboring courtyard, like Leng Qingqiu and Nanny Han. Yanxi pricked up his ears to listen. He heard Nanny Han say, "These jujube flowers are so fragrant. Let's pick some. Madam said they can be used to scent tea." Leng Qingqiu laughed and said, "Be careful, don't fall." The voices grew closer, seemingly right by the wall under the jujube tree. Yanxi gave Song Runqing a meaningful look and walked to the door by the wall, pretending to look at the flowers. He saw Leng Qingqiu looking up, directing Nanny Han to pick the higher branches. That day, she wore an old blouse with white background and blue dots, paired with a black skirt. Plain and unadorned, she had a unique, refreshing charm. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling her face and body, making her skin appear like jade. Yanxi stared, mesmerized. Leng Qingqiu turned her head and saw Yanxi standing by the door. Her face flushed slightly, and she lowered her head, saying, "Mr. Jin." Then she turned to Nanny Han and said, "Let's go back." She went straight into the house.
Yanxi stood there blankly for a moment. Song Runqing walked over and laughed, "My niece is like that. She's not used to strangers." Yanxi hurriedly said, "Exactly, dignified and steady. Rare indeed." Back in his study, his heart was in turmoil. He thought about finding some opportunity to speak a few words alone with Leng Qingqiu. Suddenly, he remembered that in a few days it would be the fifteenth of the lunar month, when the moon over the Western Hills was especially beautiful. Why not invite their whole family to the Western Hills for moon-viewing? He began to plan again. Thus: Overhearing the fair one's laughter through the wall, entering the hall further taxes the scholar's heart.
Little did Yanxi know that while he was exhausting his schemes, Mrs. Leng was gradually growing suspicious. One day, she said to Song Runqing, "Second Brother, Young Master Jin is certainly a good man. But we're not relatives or friends. His constant gift-giving and frequent invitations are too attentive. Leng Qingqiu is growing older. Having a young man around so often might invite gossip." Song Runqing disagreed, saying, "Elder Sister, you worry too much. Young Master Jin is the son of a premier. He associates with famous figures, and organizing a poetry club is an elegant pursuit. He respects our scholarly family, hence his special closeness. If we keep him at arm's length, we'd appear petty. Besides, Leng Qingqiu has always been steady. What gossip is there to fear?" Mrs. Leng, seeing he spoke so plausibly, could not refute further. But she kept a knot in her heart and treated Yanxi with increasing politeness and distance. Leng Qingqiu also sensed her mother's thoughts. From then on, when Yanxi visited, she often retreated to the inner rooms, unwilling to come out easily to meet him.